Black mold in apartment: landlord or tenant responsible?« Back to Previous Page

In the UAE, the responsibility for mold remediation is typically governed by the tenancy contract and Law No. (26) of 2007, known as the Dubai Rental Law. Generally, the landlord is responsible for maintaining the structural integrity of the property and addressing issues arising from inherent building defects, such as faulty waterproofing, leaking central AC ducts, or faulty plumbing within the walls that lead to moisture intrusion. The tenant is usually responsible for damages caused by their own negligence, such as failing to use the AC properly to control humidity, not reporting a minor leak in a timely manner, or improper ventilation leading to excessive condensation.

The black mold spreading from your closet corner in JVC is a common issue in Dubai due to our high ambient humidity and the constant temperature differential caused by year-round air conditioning, which leads to condensation within wall cavities. This is often exacerbated by construction defects where external wall insulation is compromised. The recent humidity spike would accelerate this pre-existing condition. The damp smell on your clothes confirms active microbial growth.

We strongly recommend you immediately inform your landlord/property manager in writing with photographic evidence. Do not attempt to clean it with bleach, as this will not address the root moisture problem and can exacerbate spore dispersal. A professional inspection is critical to determine the exact moisture source—whether it's an internal leak, capillary rise, or condensation due to a thermal bridge—as this directly impacts liability. Our certified inspectors at Saniservice use thermal imaging and moisture meters to provide a definitive report that can be used to establish responsibility with the landlord.

For a comprehensive assessment and a legally defensible report, please call our experts at 800-MOLDS (800-66537) or email hello@saniservice.com to schedule an inspection.